Welcome Brendan, our Accessible Trails Summer Intern

My name is Brendan Thornton, and I am a rising senior at the University of New Hampshire majoring in Environmental Conservation and Sustainability. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as the Accessible Trails Intern with UNH Cooperative Extension. I am passionate about conservation, outdoor recreation, and accessibility, and I look forward to contributing to efforts that will continue to expand access to New Hampshire’s trail systems and natural resources for people of all abilities. 

Accessibility to nature is something that means a great deal to me because I believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience and connect with the outdoors. Growing up in New Hampshire, many of my most meaningful childhood memories were formed through outdoor adventures with my parents, grandparents, and sister. Every summer my grandparents would take us to destinations across the state, including places such as the Lost River Gorge and the Flume Gorge, among many others. These experiences at such beautiful locations were a spark for my fascination with the natural world. 

As I have grown older, I have come to recognize that not everyone has the same opportunities to access and enjoy these natural spaces. This realization has strengthened my commitment to improving outdoor accessibility and ensuring that people of all abilities can experience the benefits of nature. Being able to apply my academic experiences to this effort through my work as the Accessible Trails Intern excites me, as I am going to explore different places around the state that I may never have gone to. This all leading to a very eventful, and impactful summer getting to spend plenty of time in nature hopefully not coming home with many ticks, while also growing my professional skills and giving back to the state.